State Senate kills measure to bar aid for illegal immigrants

[activa8tr]

"By Noah Bierman, Globe Staff

Democrats in the state Senate killed a Republican measure this afternoon that would have barred illegal immigrants from receiving state aid.

By a 32-6 vote, which fell mostly along party lines, senators voted instead for a more limited measure that would reinforce residency screening for those receiving welfare and unemployment benefits. Republicans called the measure a "poison pill" intended to thwart a vote on their more comprehensive measure.

"The federal government has totally failed in this regard," said Senator Richard Tisei, the Republican leader and candidate for lieutenant governor. As a result, he said, state governments around the nation have been debating further measures.

Democrats, who frequently mentioned the strong political passions generated by the issue, tried to cast their measure as one that would crack down on fraud, arguing that the checks required in the Republican bill would cost money to enforce.

"It reaffirms what we already do in the state to make sure we are using our tax dollars wisely," said Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, a Boston Democrat.

The vote and discussion was among the most contentious issues so far raised in the debate over the state budget, now taking place in the Senate. The budget includes hundreds of amendments, not all directly related to state spending.

On Tuesday Senate President Therese Murray said Republicans were targeting a problem that does not exist, because the state already checks applicants for public benefits using the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program, or SAVE."


Just thought it would be good to have this on the record. Thankfully we didn't start playing the Arizona game here.

[luckyleftyme2]

1. your not exactly correct

this is a topic that is being spread by the republican party and has been for several years. the good sen. is either with out fact or a liar.
here is the federal law on this.
We’ll just quickly note that illegal immigrants are broadly disqualified from collecting benefits from government programs, according to U.S. Code, with only limited exceptions. Those exceptions are:

■Emergency medical care (which includes emergency labor and delivery)
■Emergency disaster relief that is provided for the short term and is not a cash payment
■Limited immunizations and testing, and treatment of symptoms of communicable diseases
■Certain community programs, such as soup kitchens or crisis counseling, as specified by the Attorney General
■Limited housing or community development assistance to those already receiving it in 1996
These are the only circumstances under which illegal immigrants can lawfully receive government assistance. Notably absent from this list is any type of Social Security benefits. To repeat: Illegal immigrants cannot legally receive Social Security benefits, and Congress isn’t about to vote on legislation that would change that.
now this is what you should say when you refer to federal programs and federal money! of course their is abuse and fraud- not only by the immigrants but by the landlords-and others who benifit from the funding!
thank you for allowing me to correct this premise

[activa8tr]

2. Your point? Take it up with the state Senate, please, and

try to learn the difference between your and you're!

TIA